Isotretinoin Induced Periungal Resolution with Jonathan G. Bellew, DO, PGY3; Chad Taylor, DO; Jaldeep Daulat, DO; Vernon T. Mackey, DO Advanced Desert & Mohave Centers for Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Peoria, AZ & Las Vegas, NV

Abstract Management & Clinical Course Discussion Conclusion

Pyogenic granulomas are vascular hyperplasias presenting At the time of the periungal eruption on the distal fingernails, Excess granulation tissue and pyogenic granulomas have It has been reported that the resolution of excess as red , polyps, or nodules on the gingiva, fingers, the patient was undergoing therapy for severe been described in both previous and periungal granulation tissue secondary to systemic therapy lips, face and tongue of children and young adults. Most nodulocystic acne with significant scarring. He was in his locations.4 Literature review illustrates rare reports of this occurs on withdrawal of isotretinoin.7 Unfortunately for our commonly they are associated with trauma, but systemic fifth month of isotretinoin therapy with a cumulative dose of adverse event. In addition, the mechanism by which patient, discontinuation of isotretinoin and prevention of have rarely been implicated as a causative factor 140 mg/kg. He began isotretinoin therapy at a dose of 40 retinoids cause excess granulation tissue of the skin is not secondary infection in areas of excess granulation tissue in their appearance. mg daily (0.52 mg/kg/day) for the first month and his dose well known. According to the available literature, a course was insufficient in resolving these lesions. To date, there is We present a case of eruptive pyogenic granulomas of the later increased to 80 mg daily (1.04 mg/kg/day). Prior to of occlusive therapy with topical steroids and no consensus evidence based approach to the treatment of periungal fingers in an adolescent male undergoing undergoing isotretinoin therapy the patient was treated for under occlusion for two to three weeks is the first line isotretinoin induced pyogenic granulomas. Literature systemic retinoid therapy for severe recalcitrant nodulocystic three months with topical , , treatment for periungal pyogenic granulomas.5 In our supported first line medical treatment for pyogenic acne, highlighting this important but rarely reported adverse , and oral without clinically patient’s case, this local treatment along with discontinuation granulomas includes topical high potency corticosteroids effect of systemic isotretinoin therapy. These pyogenic significant improvement. Monthly laboratory evaluations of oral isotretinoin was ineffective in resolving the painful such as clobetasol under occlusion.8 Surgical treatment of granulomas did not resolve spontaneously with during isotretinoin therapy were within normal range with no nailfold pyogenic granulomas. Intralesional triamcinolone pyogenic granulomas includes shave excision with discontinuation of isotretinoin, or first line therapeutic abnormalities in the hematopoietic, renal, or hepatic and silver nitrate over a period of six weeks led to complete electrodessication and curettage, pulsed dye , and modalities. Their resolution did occur with administration of systems. resolution of these irritating lesions. sclerotherapy utilizing monoethanolamine oleate. intralesional steroids and ablation with silver nitrate. The patient’s nodulocystic acne was much improved after Ultimately a combination of intralesional corticosteroids with five months of isotretinoin therapy having reached the In 1983, Campbell et al. first reported the association silver nitrate therapy resulted in complete resolution of targeted cumulative isotretinoin dose between 120 to 150 Introduction between systemic retinoid therapy and excess granulation periungal pyogenic granulomas in our patient. We hope that mg/kg, thus we elected to discontinue this in tissue in patients being treated for cystic acne and this case report will assist others in the future recognition light of the patient’s painful eruption on the distal periungal Pyogenic granulomas represent vascular hyperplasias of .3 At that time, Campbell felt that the response was and management of this rare but painful adverse effect of 1 nails. Local treatment to the fingernails was initiated with unknown etiology. They are characterized by rapid growth idiosyncratic and unrelated to either the daily dose of oral retinoid therapy for severe nodulocystic acne. with friability and associated pain. Morphologically they topical mupiricin 2% ointment in the morning and retinoid or the total cumulative dose. The available literature present as a solitary red , polyp, or that 2% cream at night to prevent secondary to date supports the occurrence of excess granulation tissue frequently ulcerates and bleeds excessively with minor infection. Two weeks later at follow-up, the patient exhibited within existing acne lesions, but an even rarer occurrence trauma. They may develop at any age but are more smaller periungal lesions with improved mobility and less has been the association of systemic retinoid therapy and References common in children and adolescents.1 Although idiopathic, pain (Figure 2). One month after discontinuation of excessive granulation tissue occurring at non-acne locations approximately one-third develop after trauma. Most isotretinoin the lesions persisted. Intralesional triamcinolone 6 such as the folds of the fingers and toes. 1. Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Schaffer JV, eds. Dermatology. common sites include the gingiva, fingers, lips, face and injections (2.5 mg/ml), administered two weeks apart over Third Edition. Vol 2. Elsevier Saunders; 2012;1922-1923. tongue.2 Pyogenic granulomas have been reported in six weeks followed by a single treatment of topical silver 2. Kerr DA. Granuloma pyogenicum. Oral Surg Oral Med association with systemic retinoids3, indinavir, and epidermal nitrate subsequently resolved the lesions (Figure 3). Oral Pathol. 1951;4:158. growth factor receptor inhibitors. 3. Campbell JP, Grekin RC, Ellis CN, et al. Retinoid therapy is associated with excess granulation tissue responses. J History of Present Illness Am Acad Dermatol. 1983;9:708-713. 4. Exner JH, Dahod S, Pochi PE. Pyogenic-like acne A 15-year-old male presented to our dermatology clinic with lesions during isotretinoin therapy. Arch Dermatol. multiple painful bright red papulonodules located at the 1983;119:808-811. dorsal surface of the distal portion of the periungal third and 5. Piraccini BM, Bellavista S, Misciali C, Torti A, de Berker D, fourth fingers extending from the hyponychium distally down Richert B. Periungal and subungal pyogenic granuloma. Br through the nail grooves with extension proximally to the J Dermatol. 2010;163:941-953. bilateral portion of the nail walls (Figure 1). The lesions 6. Shalita AR, Cunningham WJ, Leyden JJ, et al. appeared abruptly and were enlarging over several weeks. Isotretinoin treatment of acne and related disorders: An Associated pain with easy bleeding on minor trauma was update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1983;4:629-638. reported in the lesions. The patient denied significant 7. Figueiras DA, Ramos TB, Marinho AK, Bezerra MS, trauma or prior contact with chemicals or allergens before Cauas RC. and granulation tissue formation the outbreak. His primary care provider initiated treatment during treatment with isotretinoin. An Bras Dermatol. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole twice daily for two 2016;91(2):223-225. 8. Miller RA, Ross JB, Martin J. Multiple granulation tissue weeks. After the patient experienced no significant Multiple painful papulonodules at the distal bilateral Pyogenic granulomas improved two weeks Resolution of pyogenic granulomas two months lesions occurring in isotretinoin treatment of acne vulgaris – response to therapy, he was referred to our dermatology nail folds of the fingernails following discontinuation of isotretinoin therapy post discontinuation of isotretinoin and successful office for evaluation. treatment with intralesional triamcinolone and successful response to topical corticosteroid therapy. J Am topical silver nitrate Acad Dermatol. 1985;12:888-889.